I’m always happy to find quality information online that helps continue the education about the tremendous benefits of high-fat, low-carb diets on your health. From insulin resistance, heart disease, obesity, saturated fat, sugar, calories, alcohol, fruits and veggies, cholesterol and more, these are the things that are most important in debating what to do about your diet to positively change your health for the better. It’s the way of eating that has no doubt prevented me from following my brother Kevin to an early grave at the age of 41 as a result of poor nutritional choices. But had I not come to an understanding and embracement of livin’ la vida low-carb, I would likely be weighing close to 600 pounds, diabetic, possibly had a heart attack and no doubt following in the same footsteps of my brother. Needless to say, low-carb has saved my life!

The following series of videos is presented by a physician-directed company called Specialty Health and were recorded on December 15, 2011. The videos feature the Chairman/Medical Director of Specialty Health named Dr. James Greenwald “Greenie” interviewing New York Times bestselling science writer of Good Calories Bad Calories and Why We Get FatGary Taubes alongside a physician who is a huge proponent of carbohydrate-restriction for patients named Dr. Thomas Dayspring, MD FACP, FNLA, NCMP. They had quite the roundtable discussion on so many topics of interest broken down into bite-sized chunks for you. The first video is the longest at a half-hour, but the rest are around 10-15 minutes each. ENJOY!

Statins are certainly prevalent and the benefits that have been found with them have very little to do with cholesterol-lowering as much as it is inflammation-controlling. And yet the side effects that come from these drugs are staggering on the negative side. Listen to my interview with Dr. Duane Graveline who has personal experience taking statins:

So they have rights to sell a drug that can’t be sold over-the-counter specifically OTC? I don’t believe that to be sufficient motivation but I’m prepared to accept that it could hypothetically be sufficient reasoning for GSK to grease some palms.

In regards to side-effects- yes they’re awful but every drug I prescribe has side effects; that’s an accepted problem in medicine because every drug we use is, to some degree, a poison that we’re humbly trying to control. I am fully aware of Statin’s side effects (as any competent physician should be) and stop a patient taking them if they’re experiencing such maladies (literally today I’ve reccomended my own uncle comes off them). Ultimately however these side effects don’t negate the benefits in mortality and prognosis. Certainly it doesn’t justify attacks on a professional’s opinion because they differ from our own.

Anonymous

Now that Lipitor will be sold as a generic, OTC can’t be far behind. As for statins, I don’t know anyone who has a statin deficiency.

Anonymous

Comparing sold as generic and OTC? Are you kidding me? One is because a patent has run out, the other is a complete change to the law regarding how a particular drug can be provided to people. Pfizer applied for OTC sales but that won’t happen until at the very earliest mid-late 2013; given that Mevacor has been through applications for OTC sales a few times already what makes you think OTC will happen any time soon?

On the topic of statin deficiency: By the same merit I don’t know anybody with a methotrexate deficiency either- that doesn’t mean their conditions of excess cell division would be cured by some holistic balancing act, or not improved by the addition of drugs. In the case of statins it may not be the cholesterol but there is definitely something that they accomplish that helps patients survive. You don’t need to be deficient in something for it to have a positive effect- besides some people want to eat whatever they like and for them statins provide a safety vest of sorts.

You lose credibility by taking a good idea (sensible eating) and then tagging with it an evil nemesis (drug companies). It’s an easy way to motivate people (worked with christianity and satan) but it’s less honest than what they’re doing. Sure, more people could be off statins by eating healthily but they are of use to some people, side-effects or none.

Answer this- Why are you so eager to villainise drug companies, statins and those who receive funding from them?

Anonymous

Whatever dude. I have no dog in this hunt other than statin drugs harmed my body under the guise of making it “healthier” by lowering my cholesterol. I have been off of Lipitor and Crestor for seven years and I still feel the joint and muscle pain that those poison pills did to me. Sure, my case is anecdotal and not everyone responds that way. But there are plenty of us who have experienced this and worse. Just ask Dr. Duane Graveline what statins did to him:

I’m not alone in my criticism of statins and the handwriting is on the wall regarding their widespread use. Perhaps it would do you well to listen to people with a lot more “credibility” than me who are saying the exact same things that I am:

I’ve got plenty more where this came from. If you’re not hearing opposition to statins from anyone other than me, then you’re just not paying attention. In fact, here’s a listing of the members of the THINCS organization who would beg to differ with you as well:

“If you’re not hearing opposition to statins from anyone other than me, then you’re just not paying attention.”

1. I have just done a report on the topic so I’ve heard the criticism and the praise, but my point is that this well respected lipidologist’s opinion gets completely disregarded because it disagrees with you- this guy is an expert on lipids, something most doctors aren’t and it is all called under question because of a really weak connection between GSK and statins. I don’t shut myself off to the merits of a drug just because I know about the side-effects.

3. I agree that statins’ side-effects can be awful, I would postulate that many physicians are too eager to increase doses in patients- as with any drug (a.k.a. poison) there’s a theraputic window and we often overshoot. The (anecdotal) fact that you’re still suffering the side effects of statins 7 years on would suggest that your problems are related to aging rather than a tablet you no longer take- as with most people we give statins, there’s a propensity for people growing older to suffer muscle pain, back pain, weakness etc.

Let me be clear: I don’t disagree with your viewpoint on diet, I think you’re a passionate and well informed individual and many doctors could benefit from listening to you. However closing yourself off to an alternative view is FAITH and not SCIENCE. This guy is an expert lipidologist and you will willingly attack his integrity because his opinions are different. There’s a lot of good science regarding statins and there’s a lot of bad science- we need a better understanding of how to best use these (occasionally dangerous) tools… that’s all.

Anonymous

I’m not opposed to an alternate point of view if there is compelling scientific evidence that can tell me statins are good for anyone beyond those who have already had a cardiovascular event. Of the hundreds of experts I have interviewed, that’s pretty much the only time most of them would even consider prescribing statins (and possibly for familial hypercholesterolemia). I’m sure Dr. Dayspring is a nice guy (I don’t know him), but I am doubtful of one man’s judgment on a drug that so many others have their doubts and concerns about. THANKS for your comments!

Anonymous

OK, I’m happy to leave it there 😉

Good luck with the blog, I’ll continue happily reading/listening.

Bill Jones

Dr. Dayspring is an expert in lipidology. I don’t know whether he has other factors in his health, but he looks rather overweight and unfit. I can’t help myself thinking why is he not lean and mean, when he obviously has most of the answers and solutions? I understand and appreciate Jimmy’s issues and difficulties which he is right upfront with, telling us about his metabolic damage and what he does to try and overcome it. Dr. Dayspring seems to be “do as I say, not do what I do.” Undermines his credibility for me somewhat, although he may have issues I’m unaware of.

Anonymous

I somewhat disagree with that slightly Bill…although I understand your sentiment. He is indeed an expert because of the knowledge he has about these issues. And although he is carrying around extra weight as evidenced by the video interview, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t exhibit stellar HDL, triglycerides, and LDL particles which are all indicative of the state of heart health. We just don’t know. And even if his own personal numbers aren’t the best, that doesn’t mean his information is incorrect. THANK YOU for your comment!

Bill Jones

It’s difficult to say what I mean on this one, without sounding impolite. If Tom Dayspring followed his own advice, especially now he’s such a big Taubes supporter, surely he would lose 50 pounds in a year unless he has other issues. If I can follow a HFLC diet and be driven by my limited knowledge and sustained it for 6 years, I can’t understand why such a brilliant man with decades of experience in his field, looks to be in such relatively bad shape. He just can’t be walking the walk, looking heavy like he does. Yet there are so many extremely intelligent people who can’t change their diet and lifestyle. Life is such an enigmatic paradox. I totally respect Tom’s advice, but there’s that niggle that’s there.

Like obese dieticians and nutritionists lecturing and admonishing overweight patients.

Anonymous

Maybe he has changed and lost as much as his metabolism will allow. I don’t underestimate the damage done by past nutritional choices.

http://thesilicongraybeard.blogspot.com/ MontanaAardvark

Maybe it’s completely wrong to look at someone’s apparent weight as any kind of indicator of their cardiovascular health, as these readers appear to be doing.

Anonymous

Precisely!

Anonymous

Millions of years of human existence says otherwise. Read world history.

Anonymous

Perception is reality whether merited or not. Your point about finding ways to get information to the public from people like this is why I created my blog and podcasts. And yet I sometimes find it difficult to have the resources needed to continue sharing this information. I’m all for people supporting those who are doing work to educate the masses, but it just doesn’t happen enough on a voluntary basis.

http://twitter.com/lowcarbrecipe low carb recipes

Thanks a lot for the awesome videos!

Anonymous

Sure!

Dags

Two and a half Million years is a tad longer than the last 70 years? lol

Anonymous

Indeed!

LLVLCBlog

Yes, two meanings…it can get confusing.

Paula

Hi Jimmy! Why was the last video taken out and what was it of? Thanks!